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DUI - Drunk Driving Defense Attorneys

In today’s society, it is unusual to find someone without a driver’s license. With the possible exception of big cities where comprehensive metro systems are able to take patrons wherever they need to go, most individuals find themselves in need of a license in order to do every day things like get to work on time and to pick up groceries. Because obtaining a driver’s license has become seen as more or less a “rite of passage”, it is easy to forget that driving is a privilege as well as a big responsibility. With car accidents and resulting injuries – and even fatalities – increasing at a fast pace, however, the consequences for driving irresponsibly can be devastating.

Finding yourself charged as driving under the influence (DUI) can be incredibly stressful and leave you with significant amounts of confusion and uncertainty. These worries are generally justified, in fact, because the effects of being convicted of a DUI charge can have long-reaching effects that impact your daily life in a big way. A suspended license is a not uncommon outcome of a DUI charge, for example, and losing your ability to drive could put your job as well as your ability to live your life in a normal way at jeopardy. Even worse is the fact using taxis or other forms of public transportation can be both expensive and time consuming, which ensures that not only will your life change as the result of a DUI conviction, but also that it will become significantly more expensive and stressful.

If you find yourself facing DUI charges, it is important to reach out to an experienced Illinois DUI defense attorney. At Van Der Snick Law Firm, LTD we have experience with these matters and can work hard to ensure that you are able to continue living your life as normally as possible. We know that the best way to handle a DUI charge is simply to avoid it altogether if possible, which is why we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as you find yourself in a precarious situation. Our lawyers can help examine your case and come up with the best defense possible to help minimize your chances of losing your license or acquiring too many points on your license, which can often lead to much higher insurance costs.

Possible DUI Defenses

When it comes to DUI defenses, there are a wide variety of them that can be used. The best option depends upon the specifics of your case, which is why you need an experienced attorney to take a look at the details. In general, you might expect some of the following to make an appearance during your defense, depending upon the exact circumstances.

Legality of Checkpoints

It is important to keep in mind that police officers cannot generally pull you over without any reason whatsoever. There should be some kind suspicion that a crime is being committed, for example, or that one is in process in order to justify pulling your car over. If your lawyer determines that the stop was not the result of reasonable suspicion and was therefore illegal, then any and all evidence collected during the stop is inadmissible. This can be great news to anyone hoping to avoid charges, as with no evidence it is likely that your charges will be dropped.

With that said, police have a lot of wiggle room in what the believe constitutes “reasonable suspicion”, including:

Driving erratically

Driving too slowly

Driving with a broken headlight or faulty turn signal

Running a traffic sign or light

Speeding

Tailgating

Turning against traffic or driving in the wrong direction

If your lawyer can successfully argue that none of the above was the case, then they might be able to have the stop ruled as illegal.

Accuracy of DUI Determination

When you are pulled over, you can expect police officers to pay a great amount of attention to your appearance and your behavior. They will then use these observations to help prove that you were driving under the influence. There are different options at hand that can help your lawyers dispute these observations. If you are diagnosed with a medical condition that might cause symptoms similar to those of intoxication (such as slurred speech) or if you are on a prescribed medication that causes the same, then you might be able to argue that you were not, in fact, driving under the influence.

Contact A DUI / Drunk Driving Defense Attorney

If you find yourself at risk of being charged with a DUI, reach out to an experienced attorney from Van Der Snick Law Firm, LTD today! We can help ensure your rights are protected and that you are well represented in court. For more information about how our attorneys can help, call us for a consultation today!